India vs Australia: India’s stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah on Thursday insisted that his team is not carrying any baggage from the 0-3 series whitewash at home at the hands of New Zealand as it meets Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting Friday at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

“When you win you start from zero but when you lose, then also you also start from zero. We are not carrying any baggage from India. Yes, we have our learnings from New Zealand series but those were different conditions and our results here have been different,” said Bumrah, who is leading in the opening Test in the absence of Rohit Sharma, who is on paternity leave.

Bumrah also said that the team has finalised its playing XI although he will reveal it only at the toss.

“We have finalised our playing XI and you will get to know tomorrow morning before the start of the match,” the skipper said.

The Indian Express had earlier reported that India are set hand a debut for fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy in Perth, with veteran off-spinner R Ashwin playing as the lone specialist spinner. Despite a bunch of young faces in the squad, Bumrah affirmed that India are prepared for the Aussie challenge.

The senior Indian side featured in a two-day match simulation practice last week at the nearby WACA Stadium, helping to acclimatise to the conditions.

“We are very well prepared, because we came here early, we got some time to spend at WACA. A lot of the youngsters, are coming here for the first time. But when we came here the first time as well (in 2018), we got lesser time than this, and we ended up winning the series,” Bumrah said.

Bumrah said that he relishes the leadership role, despite having only featured in a solitary Test as captain before in 2022 in England.

“I don’t look at it as a post, I love responsibility. I wanted to do the tough job since I was a child. You always want to be in the thick of things, you want. I always have been wanting to add more, and even when Rohit is there or when Virat (Kohli) was there, I have tried to add inputs and learn from them.”

‘An eye on Shami’

While they have cemented the XI for the opening game, Bumrah confirmed that India are keeping an eye on pacer Mohammed Shami who made his long-awaited return to competitive cricket last week through the Ranji Trophy.

“Shami bhai has started to play cricket, and obviously an integral part of this team, so yeah, I’m sure the management is also keeping a keen eye, and hopefully things fall in place, and you might see him here as well,” said Bumrah.